Hearing loss affects each of our patients a little differently, and these subtle differences are part of what help us customize our style of hearing care specifically to your individual needs.
When the hearing needs of our patients are met, we see happier, healthier folks coming through our door!
A better quality of life for our patients is a big deal for us, and better hearing means lower rates of depression and anxiety, as well as better self-esteem and relationships with loved ones.
Perhaps the most troubling long-term aspects of hearing loss have to do with dementia, which has been associate with hearing loss in a variety of large studies.
Individuals with only a mild hearing loss (25-decibel loss of hearing) are nearly twice as likely to develop dementia as those with healthy hearing, and those with more severe hearing loss see an even greater likelihood of developing dementia.
Cognitive decline usually occurs at a faster rate in those who don't treat their hearing loss.
Dementia is incurable, but early findings from a new study by the University of North Texas indicate that improved hearing enhances the quality of life in patients with moderate dementia, which is defined as mild or early stage Alzheimer's disease.
The research is ongoing and expected to be completed later this year, but the early findings are quite encouraging.
It's also worth noting that research is currently under way by Johns Hopkins researchers to determine whether hearing aids can help delay the onset of dementia.
Until a cure can be found, delaying the onset of dementia can make a big impact.
It's a devastating disease that may reach epidemic status by 2050, when the number of individuals affected is projected to have more than doubled in the U.S. and tripled worldwide.
Delaying the onset of dementia by just one year would help decrease the number of people with the disease by more than 10 percent.
Though hearing aids are not marketed as therapeutic devices, the research suggesting improvements in quality of life for dementia patients using hearing aids means that they might have some therapeutic potential.
Hearing aids may make it easier for those with dementia to hear or understand what is being said, ultimately allowing them to refocus brainpower on other things.
We already know that better hearing can play a role in helping people lead more active and engaged lives, especially if it is treated earlier rather than later. The fact that better hearing might also help those already affected by dementia experience a higher quality of life is even more exciting and means a lot for the health of our local community.
Bella Vista Hearing Center is located at 22 Sugar Creek Center and can be reached at 479-876-0110.
Community on 09/02/2015